Ross Embleton explained how the Leyton Orient squad are aware of opponents raising their game now

Braintree Town are second bottom in the National League after 12 games, but Leyton Orient know they cannot afford to underestimate the Essex club.

Justin Edinburgh’s O’s are top of the table with 26 points – 20 more than the Iron, who come up from the National League South play-offs last season.

Bradley Quinton’s team have struggled since promotion, but did recently win 1-0 at Gateshead thanks to a Joe Ellul goal to show their potential.

Although they lost by the same score on Saturday at home to Maidstone United, after a stoppage-time Blair Turgott penalty, Braintree have taken points off both Barnet and Hartlepool United this season following 1-1 draws.

Quinton’s men also pushed Wrexham close at the beginning of September and despite their 23rd-place position, Orient will need to be on top form tomorrow (Tuesday).

O’s assistant manager Ross Embleton recently discussed how the squad have got used to opponents raising their game and Braintree are likely to fall into the same category.

So even though the Iron have only picked up one victory this season, they will pose a big threat to Orient’s unbeaten record when they do battle at Cressing Road this week.

Embleton said: “Since we have been in this league, we have found we sometimes analyse the opposition and then when we come up against them it is a little bit different because it is Leyton Orient.

“Obviously we understand people want to play against us and roll their sleeves up, so we have to just continue in whatever manner it is and so far this season we have done that, and now we must keep putting teams away.”

After taking their chances at Harrogate Town last weekend, Orient will hope to show a clinical touch in front of goal again at Braintree.

The Iron may have lost eight of their 12 fixtures during the current campaign, but they have only conceded more than two goals in a match on three occasions.

Most of their games have finished 1-0 or 1-1, so O’s will have to work hard to break them down on Tuesday.